The Justice Department announced in a statement that three firms that own and operate the 17-mile-long San Pedro Bay Pipeline had been charged with negligent conduct in connection with a huge oil spill that destroyed California's shoreline in October.

"A federal grand jury today accused three companies with illegally discharging oil during a pipeline break in early October by acting negligently in at least six ways, including failing to properly respond to eight separate leak alarms over more than 13 hours and improperly restarting the pipeline that had been shut down following the leak alarms," the release said on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the indictment accuses Amplify Energy Corporation, Beta Operating Company, and San Pedro Bay Pipeline Company of one misdemeanor count of careless oil discharge.

The announcement stated that around 25,000 gallons of crude oil were dumped less than five miles west of Huntington Beach, California, as a result of the alleged irresponsible behavior. The quantity is said to be harmful to the public health, welfare, and environment of the United States. 

Charges against the three firms

The 17.3-mile underwater pipeline, which runs from a production and processing platform called Elly to the Port of Long Beach, is one of the charges leveled against the three firms and was being operated by “an understaffed and fatigued crew,” who “had not been provided sufficient training regarding the pipeline’s automated leak detection system.”

“I am outraged by the complete and utter failure of Amplify Energy to do their job,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach). “Their absolute negligence caused devastation in our coastal community. This was not a freak incident — someone here is to blame, and justice will be served.”

The federal indictment makes it obvious that the pipeline supervisors were aware of a problem in the system earlier — and on a more frequent basis — than their firms had previously claimed.

“It is very distressing that Amplify lied so many times to the public officials, the community, and reporters,” said Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, who represents the affected area. “Many of us were questioning the veracity of their statements from the beginning. They will be held accountable. They can’t hide from their lies anymore.”